(MENAFN- Arab Times) Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor
Despite Donald Trump's presidency having
been weighted down by controversy, it is undeniable that he has delivered on
most of his promises to the American people. Under constant attack from his
political opponents and insults from a rabidly hostile media, he has stood
tall, determined to achieve his goal of making his country greater than ever.
Under
such a tsunami of criticism and faced with traitors in his own camp hungry for
salacious book deals, a weaker mortal would have thrown in the towel. Instead
he has courageously soldiered on allowing his incredible achievements to speak
for themselves.
Like
him or not, this US Commander-in-Chief is a one-off. He is not cut from the
same political mould as his predecessors. He is not versed in diplomatic-speak.
His non-orthodox approach to the highest job in the land was not immediately
appreciated by all.
He was accused of being un-presidential by critics
unused to a leader who does not indulge in flowery rhetoric or political
correctness but rather says what he thinks and does what he says. This is his
gift that differentiates him from all other occupants of the Oval Office.
Trump
has the ability to take decisions based on what he feels is right. He goes by
gut-feeling and although he listens to his advisers and intelligence chiefs he
often sticks to his guns. I always say that the mark of a true leader is being
brave enough to take hard decisions despite the clamour of naysayers while a
leader who fears disapproval will hesitate and lose.
Each
time I learn of Donald Trump's bold decisions and accomplishments, I feel glad
that I gave him my vote of confidence early in his campaign when most others had
written him off as a no-hoper joker. He proved them all wrong.
For
years, I have been saying that America needed a strong personality, preferably
a businessman, in the White House as opposed to lawyers or academics who tend
to over-think. Donald Trump's growing successes have proved me right.
It took
time for him to feel comfortable in his new role, but he has done so
spectacularly. His State of the Union address before Congress was not only
impressive with regard to content and delivery it was also one of the most
inspirational in America's history designed to bring Republicans and Democrats
together to work for the common good. Indeed, with few exceptions, lawmakers
were on their feet applauding more than they were seated.
'Victory
is not winning for our party. Victory is winning for our country,' he told
them. 'Millions are hoping we will govern as one nation …We must choose
between greatness and gridlock.'
It isa
great shame that some Democrats are more intent on bringing him down, than
giving him credit where credit is due. Former president Barack Obama has a
silvery tongue and a sophisticated style but Trump has done far more to improve
American lives and livelihoods.
Both of
his most recent speeches have resonated with me and I suspect with many non-Americans
too. Listening to his heartfelt messages to a rapturous crowd in El Paso, I
heard a great patriot, a man of passion consumed with delivering the best for
his nation and its people regardless of their political leanings. He has
emerged as a unifying figure, a president intent on improving standards of
living for all Americans, cracking down on crime and making them secure within
their borders.
It is
time for the doubters to open their eyes wide. There is no shame in admitting
that one is wrong when faced with indisputable facts.
The
United States is today enjoying one of the biggest economic booms ever. The
stock market has broken records. Over 5.3 million new jobs have been created.
Unemployment is at its lowest level in more than 50 years.
Companies
are flooding in, attracted by lowered taxes and cuts in crippling regulations.
And for the first time, the United States is the world's number one producer of
oil and natural gas as well as a net exporter of energy. 'An economic miracle
is taking place and the only things that can stop it are wars, politics and
foolish investigations,' Trump correctly argued.
I agree
that lawmakers should better invest their time and energy on the important work
at hand rather than waste years attempting to dig up dirt on a very successful
head of state, which is causing damaging divisions and providing fodder for
media muckrakers to spout speculative analyses.
Within
the social sphere, the Trump administration is investing in cures for HIV-Aids
and childhood cancers and working to reform sentencing laws that have unfairly
discriminated against African Americans. Some five million Americans have
already been freed from their reliance on food stamps.
On the
foreign policy front he has proved to be a powerful negotiator willing to take
risks so as to turn hard challenges into successes. On his watch, he has
flipped North Korea's dictator Kim Jong-un from a man threatening areas of
America with nuclear annihilation to someone the President now calls his
friend. His threat to unleash fire and fury was an unforgettable wake-up call.
'Great
nations do not fight endless wars,' he said while expressing his sorrow at the
loss of 7,000 military personnel and the 52,000 wounded in Afghanistan and
Iraq. He is now intent on pursuing a political solution in Afghanistan and will
withdraw US troops from Syria once the last pockets of territory held by ISIS
terrorists are liberated.
Lastly,
I very much appreciate his stand against the 'radical Iranian regime' he
rightly calls 'the World's leading state sponsor of terrorism' now bleeding
from tough US sanctions. 'We will not avert our eyes from a regime that chants
'Death to America'…,' he pledged while assuring Americans that he will never
allow the mullahs to acquire nuclear weapons.
Nobody
is perfect and I strongly believe that President Trump's decision to recognize
Jerusalem as Israel's capital before relocating the American embassy there was
a grave error of judgment on his part. We patiently await details of his
promised peace plan.
Nevertheless,
I would advise US voters not to lose him in 2020. At a glance, who is fit to
replace him? Who else possesses his brand of courage and transparency? Trump
won the election because Americans were tired of the same old faces and their
polished flimflam. They wanted someone different and they got their wish big
time.
The
race has started. Trump's approval rating has soared to 52 percent in response
to his State of the Union address according to a poll conducted by Rasmussen
Reports. The field is increasing daily but if he can stick to his own winning
script, he may well pull off another first at the finish line. They laughed at
him once but, as they say, he who laughs last laughs best.
By Khalaf Ahmad
Al Habtoor
UAE Businessman
MENAFN1602201900960000ID1098130073
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